Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Bike meets Car

Today I was hit by a car on my bicycle on Rt 27 in Highland Park, NJ while crossing River Road. While I (and other cyclists) were in the crosswalk, a car barrelled around the corner and struck the side of my bike. I and my bike went onto the hood of the car and then rolled onto the street where I hit my wrist, knee, and head. After I moved over, the driver of the car shot me a nasty look and drove away. (This is a highly bike populated zone, over the next 20 minutes I saw at least 20 cyclists cross this intersection, and many cars make the right turn at safe speeds).

Since my bicycle was not rideable (although appears reparable), I sent the friend I was with to get my car so I could load the bike onto my car bike rack. I called 911 to report the hit and run. Since no one got the plates of the driver (I was busy being hit by a car and my friend was busy checking that I was okay), and I only recalled the color of the car and gender and approximate age the driver, the officers were honest that the driver was unlikely to be found, unless she felt guilty or scared and turned herself in.

I went to Robert Wood Johnson hospital where they took x-rays and checked for evidence of a concussion (there was none). They also gave me a tetanus shot.
A friend drove me to where the friend I was biking with had left my car, and drove it to my apt so I could get a change of clothes for work. She then drove me back to New Brunswick where I spent most of the day reading and resting and then going to to work in the evening. I am feeling a bit lethargic with a small headache and shoulder pain as well as prescriptions for muscle relaxants.

That's it for now.

11 comments:

Fran said...

Allie - oh my! I am so sorry that that happened to you. That you got hit - got a dirty look - and the driver took off... Oh what can I say.

Feel better, good thoughts and prayers coming your way.

PseudoPiskie said...

I'm praying for that driver. Um. I'm trying to be helpful about it.

Sorry you are sore. It will get worse unfortunately. Glad the bike is fixable too.

episcopalifem said...

What an ASSHAT of a drive that ASSHAT was/is!!!!!!

I'm glad you are ok....I'm praying the driver does something stupid and gets caught or gets a nasty boil ridden rash. I'm praying thanks that you are OK..and that you heal quickly!

I guess I have to work on that forgiveness thing...

Revd. Neal Terry said...

Despite MP's protestations, we all know it is the car drivers who should be transported. Sorry you have been so afflicted.

Caminante said...

Prayers for you... I am thankful that it wasn't worse but I am angry that the driver didn't have the decency to stop. But that happens -- I was hit by a pickup truck crossing Mercer Street in Princeton and the driver didn't stop leaving me to limp to teach a class... (chipped toe). So take it easy. Hope someone can bring you chicken soup.

Unknown said...

Usually it's you bi-peds saying this to me, but I'm gonna turn the tables today:

Sit! Stay! Heal!

A big "grrrr" out to the driver as well as a wag of the tail to you!

Anonymous said...

Allie, I am so sorry to hear of your misfortune! I wish I lived closer so that I might be of some help. However, prayers and wishes for a speedy recovery surround you.

JimB said...

Allie,

Sorry to hear about your mishap. I hope the authorities can find the idiot. Heal and ride again.

FWIW
jimB

David said...

Ack! Glad you're OK...

And I'm with Eileen, a nasty boil for that driver would be a light punishment :P

Ann said...

Oh no -- prayers for quick healing. And curses on the bad driver -- sorry - I am not in a good space about people who hit my friends.

PseudoPiskie said...

"Pray for the woman who hit my friend Allie with her car, scowled and drove off" was how I worded it during the prayers of the people this morning. There were audible gasps.